EST. 2011 BY LIZ RUEVEN
Mini Pumpkins Filled Three Ways

Mini Pumpkins Filled Three Ways

Contributed by Marcia Selden

Pull out your pashminas, fall is in full swing!  Grab your pumpkin spiced latte and check out our 3 favorite warm-your-belly filled pumpkin recipes to make for your next meal! We think everything tastes better in a tiny pumpkin.

Savory Bread Stuffed Pumpkins

6 servings

This delicious homemade stuffing is bubbling with ooey, gooey cheese. It would be a perfect accompaniment to simply grilled fish.

This recipe was shared by Marcia Selden Catering. It is DAIRY.

Ingredients

  • 6 small pumpkins
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • ¼ lb. stale bread, cut into ½” chunks
  • ½ C. cup each of thinly sliced onions and mushrooms, sautéed in butter to golden brown
  • ¼ lb. cheese, such as Gruyere or Emmenthal (Swiss), cut into ½”chunks
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • ¼ C. snipped fresh chives
  • 1 Tbs. minced fresh thyme
  • 1/3 C. heavy cream
  • Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat, parchment paper, or foil.
  2. Cut a cap off of the top of each pumpkin. It’s easiest to work your knife around the top of the pumpkin at a 45-degree angle. Clear away the insides of the pumpkin using a grapefruit spoon. Season the inside, generously, with salt and pepper, and put them on the baking sheet.
  3. Toss the bread, cheese, garlic, onion, mushrooms and herbs together in a bowl.
  4. Mix the cream with nutmeg, salt and pepper and wet the bread filling with a bit of this mixture. Test for seasoning.
  5. Pack the filling into pumpkins until well filled. Evenly pour the cream over the pumpkin. You don’t want the ingredients to swim in cream, but you do want them nicely moistened.
  6. Put the cap in place and bake for about 1 hour—check after 45 minutes. You want the filling to be bubbling and the flesh tender enough to be pierced easily with the tip of a knife. Remove the cap during the last 15 minutes so that any excess liquid can evaporate and the tops brown.
Creamy Spinach and Porcini Risotto Stuffed Pumpkins
6 servings
This is a rich and delicious way to enjoy pumpkin filled to the brim with easy to prepare risotto.

This recipe was shared by Marcia Selden Catering.

It is DAIRY but can be made pareve (non-dairy) by switching the butter to Earth Balance margarine and eliminating the cheese. Risotto without cheese is still lovely, albeit a little less creamy.

Ingredients

  • ½ oz. dried porcini or other dried mushrooms
  • 1 C. boiling water
  • 5 C. vegetable stock, more if needed
  • 3 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 C. arborio rice
  • ¾ tsp. salt
  • 1/3 C. dry white wine
  • ½ lb. chopped baby spinach
  • ¾ C. grated Parmesan
  • 2 Tbs. butter
  • 6 small pumpkins

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Carefully slice the top of each pumpkin and using a grapefruit spoon, scoop out the inside being careful not to puncture the bottom of the pumpkin. Season the inside, generously, with salt and pepper, and put them on the baking sheet. Cover with a damp paper towel and set aside until ready to use.
  3. In a small bowl, soak the dried mushrooms in the boiling water until softened, about 15 minutes. Remove the mushrooms and strain their liquid into a medium saucepan through a sieve lined with a paper towel. Add the stock to the mushroom-soaking liquid; bring to a simmer.
  4. Rinse the mushrooms well to remove any grit, chop them, and set aside.
  5. In a large pot, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  6. Add the rice and salt and stir until the rice begins to turn opaque, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and the chopped mushrooms. Cook until the liquid has been absorbed.
  7. Stir ½ cup of simmering broth into the rice and cook, stirring frequently, until the broth has been absorbed. The rice and the broth should bubble gently; adjust the heat as needed.
  8. Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time and allowing the rice to absorb the broth before adding the next 1/2 cup. Cook the rice until almost tender, about 25 minutes, and add the spinach.
  9. Cook, stirring, until the rice is tender, about 5 minutes longer. You may not need to use all the liquid, or you may need to add more stock or wine. Mix in the parmesan cheese and butter.
  10. Fill each pumpkin with risotto and place pumpkin cap on each pumpkin. Put them on a baking sheet. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the flesh of the pumpkin is tender enough to be pierced easily with the tip of a knife.

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SIDE DISH
Photo by Jerri Graham Photography

Hi. I’m Liz and I welcome you to Kosher Like Me.

When I’m not caressing fruits and veggies at my local farmers’ market you’ll likely find me chatting with like-minded eaters, probing the scene in NYC or seeking inspiration in my spice cabinet. Life outside of this blog is all about my family, tasty travel adventures and power walks deep in the CT woods or along the shore.

Please brew a fragrant cup of tea, grab a nosh and stay a while.